Share this Page

Rodgers criticises Neymar for ‘lack of humility’

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers claims it was “a pity” that Neymar appeared to refuse to shake the right-back Anthony Ralston’s hand at the end of the game.

Celtic suffered a record home defeat in Europe, with their worst away defeat coming at the start of last season’s campaign when they were thrashed 7-0 in Barcelona.

Neymar, 18-year-old French sensation Kylian Mbappe and Uruguay international Edinson Cavani all scored in the first half to have the points effectively secured by the interval.

Yet there was controversy after the game when Neymar refused to shake hands or swap shirts with Ralston, who he believed had been overly physical during the game.

“I have spoken about my admiration for Neymar,” Rodgers said.

“It would have been nice if he could have recognised the young guy, 18-year-old playing up against himself as a top-class player.

“Maybe if he feels that when he comes to Celtic Park it is a hostile ground, a difficult place for him to come so the friendship isn’t quite there.

“But it would have been nice for him to acknowledge the young guy because he (Neymar) is a sensational player and that sort of mark of class is when those high level and elite players can show that bit of humility afterwards.”